Syrian Bridges Center for Studies reported that the Russian Hmeimim base in Lattakia hosted last month a meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials under Russian auspices, which included discussion of a number of points, including Israel’s demand to remove Iran and its militias from Syria.
According to the report the meeting included, on the Syrian side, the director of the National Security Office, Major General Ali Mamlouk, the security advisor at the palace, Bassam Hassan, and the Israeli side, Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of staff of the Israeli army, and Ari bin Menashe The former general in the “Mossad” in the presence of the commander of the Russian forces in Syria, Alexander Tchaikov.
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Observers and international affairs experts have been mentioning Russia’s work as a mediator between Syria and Israel. Sources have confirmed that Israeli army has been informing the Russians of airstrikes on Syria beforehand. After the recent ‘Abraham Accords’ peace deals between Israel and Arab states, some have speculated that Syria may next, despite the Iranian presence on its soil, especially after multiple Syrian officials discusses openly the possibility of peace after negotiations.
The center said that the Syrian delegation requested facilitating the return to the Arab League and obtaining financial aid to pay off Iranian debts along with stopping Western sanctions to open the way for Syria to expel Iran.
The center added that Israeli demands included “completely removing Iran, Hezbollah and Tehran’s militias and forming a government that includes the opposition, restructuring the security and military establishment.
The center added that the meeting did not end with specific agreements, but it constitutes the beginning of a path that Russia is pushing towards and is expected to witness a major expansion in 2021.
The report added that Moscow believes that building a direct relationship between the regime and Israel could constitute a lifeline for the regime and obtain international support for its political project in Syria.
The center added that Syrian peace with Israel is an ideal solution for the regime to get out of the diplomatic and economic blockade.
Last Tuesday, Israel, with US support, launched the heaviest raids on Iranian and Syrian sites in northeastern Syria.
The Israeli army announced in its annual report for 2020 that it carried out 50 air strikes on targets in Syria and launched more than 500 missiles and smart missiles during the past year, with the aim of preventing Iran’s positioning in Syria.
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Last Update: Wednesday, 20 January 2021 KSA 23:33 – GMT 20:33
